Thursday, May 31, 2012

BURTONITES ASSEMBLE!! New eye candy for the next (inevitable) stop motion masterpiece from the wacky mind of Tim Burton has just dropped in our laps, ready for your extended sighs from cute overload. Here's the skinny...

From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

Presented by Disney, “Frankenweenie” is directed by Tim Burton, produced by Tim Burton and Allison Abbate, from a screenplay by John August, based on an original idea by Tim Burton. “Frankenweenie” releases in U.S. theaters on October 5, 2012.

FUN FACTS!

When Tim Burton originally conceived the idea for “Frankenweenie,” he envisioned it as a full-length, stop-motion animated film. Due to budget constraints, he instead directed it as a live-action short, released in 1984.

“Frankenweenie” follows in the footsteps of Tim Burton’s other stop-motion animated films “Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”—both of which were nominated for Academy Awards®.

There are action stars aplenty across the planet, all claiming their skills are unmatched....but can your boy whup ass on an assassin with a ball point pen and a hardcover copy of Catcher in the Rye? Probably not. This August, a new unstoppable killing force takes us along for the ride! I'm hoping this guy shows us how to make a shiv out of an ordinary piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper! Your choice of color. Crafts r fun.

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

PREPARE TO SPIT OUT YOUR SODAS!! Never was there a project that wasted more talent since Super Pro.

“The Situation” as a superhero is about to become reality. Just weeks after announcing his latest venture, an “abs-first” foray into the world of comics, pop culture icon (HA!) and reality television star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is unveiling the cover of his Situation comic book produced by Wizard World and MPS Entertainment and painted by superstar artist Greg Horn. The first books are due on shelves in time for Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 9-12, at which Sorrentino will make his first appearance in support of the new project.

The first artwork depicts “The Situation” fully charged and ready to go.

“I was confident that an amazing artist like Greg Horn would come up with a great look, but I was still blown away by his painting,” said Sorrentino. “It has me more excited than ever to see what’s coming next.”

“This team we’ve assembled is our commitment to put out a comic book of the highest quality that will have a compelling story and amazing art,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. “Our creative team is hard at work creating a book that will appeal to a wide new audience, and will also interest long-time comic fans.”

Starting today, nostalgic fans who pre-order the game at GameStop will receive a unique unlock code for the G1 RETRO PACK. This exclusive content will let fans play as the legendary G1 OPTIMUS PRIME from the original 1980s animated television show (both in single player and multiplayer), and also wield the powerful G1-INSPIRED MEGATRON GUN and SHOCKWAVE BLAST CANNON weapons (in single player campaign).

Fans who pre-order the game at Amazon will get a unique code for the G2 BRUTICUS skin that will be available in the epic single player campaign. True Transformers fans will instantly recognize the rare and vivid colors of this classic BRUTICUS toyline model.

TRANSFORMERS: FALL OF CYBERTRON challenges fans to fight through both sides of the TRANSFORMERS' most epic battles that culminate in their legendary exodus from their home planet. With the stakes higher and scale bigger than ever, players will embark on an action-packed journey through massive, war-torn environments designed around each character's unique abilities and alternate forms, including GRIMLOCK's nearly indestructible T-Rex form and the legendary COMBATICONS combining into the colossal BRUTICUS. Taking the franchise's competitive multiplayer to all-new heights, the game will allow fans go head-to-head in blistering AUTOBOT vs. DECEPTICON matches after creating their own unique characters with the most in-depth, advanced customization ever before seen in a TRANSFORMERS video game.

First, Star Wars enabled you to use the force to wallop your foes upside the head in as real a way as you possibly could. NOW, Warner Brothers Interactive would grant you a Hogwart's education and the gift of wizardry to back it up...well...on your TV at least. I'm sure that won't stop you from casting curses on people in the check out line at Shoprite under your breath, but they still won't burst into flames. Noted? Good! Moving on!

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Eurocom will cast a spell among Harry Potter fans of all ages this fall with the “Harry Potter for Kinect” videogame exclusively on Kinect for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Based on all eight Harry Potter films, “Harry Potter for Kinect” allows players to join Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they embark on an unforgettable journey through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and beyond. With Kinect’s scanning technology, for the first time ever in a Harry Potter game, players will be able to scan in their own face to create a unique witch or wizard to journey through the adventures of the film.

“‘Harry Potter for Kinect’ will engage Harry Potter fans old and new by bringing them into the wizarding world as truly active participants,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Kids and parents will enjoy recreating their favorite Harry Potter adventures, from flying a broomstick in a Quidditch match, to battling pixies and dueling other wizards.”

“Harry Potter for Kinect” gives players the opportunity to experience some of the films’ most memorable moments, both as the relevant characters or as their own avatars, including visiting Ollivanders, choosing a house at Hogwarts, and confronting He Who Must Not Be Named in a climactic final battle. Players who master their lessons can also take on their opponents in competitive mini-games, or join forces with family and friends in co-op gameplay.

This summer, prepare to join the action and witness the emergence of the heroic G.I. JOE team as a cadre of highly-trained specialists who are forced to band together to prevent the nefarious COBRA from achieving world domination. On June 5, 2012, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios, will debut fan favorite animated series G.I. JOE: Renegades Season One, Volume 1 on DVD. Featuring the first 13 episodes from the first season, this collectible 2-DVD set is a must have for fans, kids and collectors and has a suggested retail price of $19.93. The initial product run of G.I. JOE: Renegades Season One, Volume 1 DVD set will include a Movie Cash offer to see the upcoming major motion picture G.I. JOE: Retaliation, in theaters June 29 (waiting for clarification on this, though it is probably too late for them to change the packaging now. readers will note the film has been pushed back to next year).

When a spy mission against Cobra Industries goes awry, a group of young G.I. JOE team members is forced to hit the road as fugitives. Now the team members — DUKE, SCARLETT, ROADBLOCK, TUNNEL RAT, RIPCORD, BREAKER and SNAKE EYES — must use their wits and elite training to prove their innocence to the world before being caught by the authorities, the COBRA organization or, worse yet, another elite military team called the Falcons.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg’s magical adventure, celebrates its 30th Anniversary with its first-ever release on Blu-ray™ this October. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered picture that delivers six times the resolution of DVD, as well as all-new 7.1 surround sound, the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes the 1982 theatrical movie, an all-new interview with director Steven Spielberg, and “The E.T. Journals” featuring never-before-seen footage from the set of the film. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack also includes UltraViolet™, a DVD and a Digital Copy of the film, offering fans a chance to relive the mystery, laughter and wonder of the iconic movie anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.

In 1982, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial became the biggest blockbuster of the year, ranking #1 over 16 different weekends. Even today, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial remains the fourth most successful movie of all-time1 in the United States. Nominated for nine Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Writing and Best Screenplay, the film took home four statuettes for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Sound and Best Music for John Williams’ (Jaws) memorable score. The unforgettable cast includes the adorable Drew Barrymore (He’s Just Not That Into You, Charlie’s Angels), Henry Thomas (Dear John, Legends of the Fall), Dee Wallace (10, “Sons and Daughters”) and Peter Coyote (“Law & Order: LA,” Jagged Edge).

“When E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial premiered in 1982, it captured the imaginations of people young, old and everyone in between in a way that was unparalleled in modernmovie history,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “A global cultural phenomenon—and the biggest box-office blockbuster of its day—E.T. brought out the child in all of us. We are thrilled audiences will now be able to experience the film in the astounding quality of Blu-rayTM.”

BONUS FEATURES ON THE E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION BLU-RAY™:

The E.T. Journals: In this all-new bonus feature, retrace the day-to-day experience of creating E.T from never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage shot by Academy Award®-winning cinematographer John Toll. This piece will give viewers a unique feeling of being on the set and living the excitement of what it was like to make E.T. Steven Spielberg & E.T.: Watch an all-new interview with Steven Spielberg, as he reflects back on the film and discusses his experience working with the actors, as well as his overall and current perspective on E.T.

· Deleted Scenes: Two scenes from 2002 version of the film.

· A Look Back: A special insider’s look into the making of E.T. featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, the cast, and others intimately involved with the film.

· The E.T. Reunion: The cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film.

· The Evolution and Creation of E.T.: From idea to screenplay, through casting and making the film.

· The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams: Interviews and footage focused on the long-standing relationship between John Williams and Steven Spielberg.

· The 20th Anniversary Premiere: Composer John Williams played the score of E.T. live at the Shrine Auditorium for the re-release premiere of E.T. This featurette gives us a behind the scenes look at this presentation.

· UltraViolet™: The revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows, store them in the cloud, and instantly stream and download to computers, tablets and smartphones. Consumers can now truly enjoy their movies anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice. Currently available in the United States only.

· pocket BLU™ App: The popular free pocket BLU™ app for smartphones is now even better with newly updated versions for iPad®, Android™ tablets, PC and Macintosh computers, with features made especially to take advantage of thedevices’ larger screens and high resolution displays.

Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease. Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film. Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere. Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray™. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device. Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard. BD-LIVE™: Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to access the latest trailers, exclusive content and more!

Universal is also partnering with leading independent games publisher Chillingo to publish E.T.: The Green Planet for the iTunes App Store. Inspired by a novel based on a story by Steven Spielberg, players travel with E.T. to his home planet, explore and build extraordinary intergalactic botanical gardens, and share their experiences with friends.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Are you dissatisfied with your current vampire? Does he seem unusually weepy? Does he moan about waify little girls when he should be tearing out the throats of your enemies? Does she spend all her time hatching intricate plots to ruin the social lives of her foes instead of TEARING OUT THE THROATS OF YOUR ENEMIES??!! Guys, I can't stress this enough. There should be throat tearing. Dark Horse offers up their modest stable of bloodsucking undead in the hopes you can compare..and make the right choice.

If you've got a taste for bloodsuckers, then look no further! Dark Horse does vampires right and gives readers who crave creatures of the night a crypt full of creepy comics! Check out DH's dark side with the "Dark Horse Does Vampires Right Sampler"!

Step into the world of Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9, as everyone's favorite Slayer adapts to her new life in San Francisco. Then check out Angel & Faith, where the vampire with a soul and the once-evil Slayer work to atone for past sins.

This preview issue also features Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden's Baltimore, which follows a vampire hunter living in a world beset by a post–World War I vampire infestation; samples from P. C. and Kristin Cast's story of a vampyre boarding school in House of Night; and Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Strain, in which Manhattan suffers from a vampiric plague!

• Issue features selections from Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #1,Angel & Faith #1, Baltimore: The Curse Bells #1, The Strain #1, and House of Night #1. Plus, the entirety of a short story entitled "Magical Mystery Tour Featuring the Beetles," a previously unreleased, digital-only retailer exclusive from Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9.

Listen...I know it has been a dizzying year and you are still coming off the high from The Avengers while awaiting Dark Knight Rises, Amazing Spider-Man and THE HOBBIT....but all this time, Wes Anderson has been standing right behind you, patiently waiting to show you his new film as you giggle snort about Hulk smashing Loki. Fine...fine...you love Wes and NOW that you know his latest film Moonrise Kingdom is in theaters, you will seek out the nearest indie theater and commence dorky grin #213 for the allotted period of time. Yes? Some of you still look confused and are embarrassed to say you didn't even know Wes had a new movie dropping. Never fear. We'll have you up to speed in minutes.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, MOONRISE KINGDOM tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore -- and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle. Bruce Willis plays the local sheriff. Edward Norton is a Khaki Scout troop leader. Bill Murray and Frances McDormand portray the young girl's parents. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as the boy and girl AKA best cast ever & thank you.

In love, yes? In "select" theaters now means we have to seek out this movie with great vigor...so good luck with that...but now you've seen enough of the movie that you can make up the rest in your mind if you live too far. I expect to see crayon depictions of your favorite scenes on your facebooks. Either way, happy hunting.

Is it a surprise to anyone that there are so many Batman collectibles hitting stores at the moment? No..because Batman has always been a little whore as far as merchandising goes. Whooooooore (say it like a 1950's southern woman. it's fun!) Oddly, this year, Spider-Man beat him with oddball products like a Spidey head that opens up to be a science lab, Spidey air hockey and numerous Spidey camping sets, but we'll have a "whose the biggest ho" contest another day! For now, Kotobukiya gets the spotlight...

A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! The Dark Knight is back! Kotobukiya is proud to present a new ARTFX Statue based on the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises. The third part of a trilogy by Christopher Nolan, this summer’s “DKR” pits Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne against both Bane and Catwoman. To celebrate that release you can get the newest incarnation of the big screen hero for your shelf with BATMAN -THE DARK KNIGHT RISES-!

Featuring a beautifully detailed sculpt recreating Batman’s specific appearance in the new film, this new version of the character faithfully recreates the hero’s intricate armored bat-suit with cape and cowl. Standing ready for action, the world’s greatest detective oversees Gotham City from the top of a rocky landscape. Staring down his enemies with his trademark scowl, Batman holds his flowing cape in front of him with his left hand while his right wields one of his wonderful toys; with interchangeable parts you can display him with either a grapple gun or his EMP rifle. Sculpted by MIC, Batman The Dark Knight Rises towers over 15 inches tall (1/6th scale) on a rocky display base that includes a hidden light-up bat symbol.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Have we already established how awesome it is that we live in the future where we have a show about a zombie apocalypse blowing up TV screens around the world AND a movie coming to the big screen called Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter??!! One has nothing to do with the other...just pointing out the overwhelming awesome. Let's take a look at two companies bringing more zombies goodies to shelves near you...

Diamond Select's Walking Dead Zombie Bust Bank: We first caught wind of this at the International Toy Fair 2012 in New York City and now, the pre-orders are dropping.

Unlike the characters in Robert Kirkman's ongoing comic series The Walking Dead, our future isn't threatened by a zombie apocalypse (so far), so why don't you start saving for it? Put aside money for your zombie-proof dream house in this 8-inch vinyl bank depicting a lurker (or is it a roamer?) from the Walking Dead comic book, via the change slot in his back. Perched atop the book's now-famous logo, this gruesome character will keep any weak-stomached burglars from plundering your nest egg.

Pre-orders should be breaking wide any day now with a delivery date of November, 2012.

McFarlane Toys Walking Dead TV Series 2 Action Figures: 2 weeks ago we showed the preliminary images for the latest Walking Dead action figure series. Now, thanks to Carmelle Marshall ( on Twitter @TimeEnuffAtLast & on Facebook @ http://facebook.com/carmelle ), we've got new pics of Rick Grimes & the Bicycle Girl Zombie! Entertainment Earth has the whole series up for pre-orders now if you'd like to pounce on that.

We've also got some new pictures of the Walking Dead Season 2 Limited Edition Blu-ray case, also courtesy of Carmelle Marshall, and alsocreated by McFarlane Toys. This limited edition statue is based on a bust from the Walking Dead television series on AMC as designed by Emmy award-winning special effects make-up supervisor and co-executive producer, Greg Nicotero. The limited Blu-ray 4 disc season 2 set will be available in Q3, 2012.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

If you are anything like me, you grew up with Elvira becoming something akin to the "hot baby sitter" in your life. Ever present..always sexy as hell..and ridiculously funny, often to the point of destroying your fever dreams about her. NOW THAT'S A WOMAN! Sideshow Collectibles knows we love this lady and since we can no longer see her AS Elvira at conventions (for the time being at least), they wish to make up for it by delivering a compact version of the woman in black you can ogle to your heart's content.

Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the Elvira in Coffin Premium Format figure. Undressed in a sheer fabric negligee, the Mistress of the Dark comes to life in all her sexy and satirical splendor. Never one to be shy or shrinking, we've ensured that the queen of Halloween shows off her best assets in this 1:4 scale Premium Format figure. The unabashedly outspoken siren has been gracing living rooms around the world for decades, add the Elvira in Coffin Premium Format figure to your collection, and invite her in to stay.

Two versions will be up for grabs this December; the one pictured and the Sideshow Exclusive version of the Elvira in Coffin Premium Format Figure which includes a unique feature available nowhere else: A swap out hand holding a dagger.

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